The Fifth Annual Washington Spring Symposium on Health Sciences
attracted over 400 scientists from 20 countries. It was held at the
Lisner Auditorium of the George Washington University in Washington.
D.C. The theme of the meeting was neural and endocrine peptides and
receptors. The meeting emphasized basic and clinical research on neural
and endocrine peptides and receptors. The six plenary sessions
emphasized pituitary peptides, releasing factors, brain peptides, growth
factors, peripheral peptides, and clinical applications. The chapters in
this volume are derived from each of these six scientific sessions plus
the poster and special sessions. The Abraham White Distinguished
Scientist A ward was presented to Dr. Julius Axelrod for his numerous
contributions to the field of neurochemistry. He presented the keynote
address, which was entitled "The Regulation of the Release of ACTH." Dr.
Axelrod discussed numerous factors, such as the peptides CRF, VIP, and
somatostatin, that regulate hormone secretion from pituitary cells. The
Distinguished Public Service Award was presented to Senator Lowell
Weicker, Jr., in recognition of his leadership and outstanding
achievements in the United States Senate and for his legislative support
for biomedical research and education. In the symposium banquet address,
Senator Weicker stressed the need for continued federal support of
biomedical science research.